Gustav Name: Complete Etymology, Meaning & Popularity Analysis
Summary
The name Gustav has its roots in Old High German, with a meaning connected to leadership and possession. It has evolved through various forms in history and is strongly linked to notable figures in Scandinavian history. The name does not have biblical relevance but has been popularized through royal associations. Today, it is perceived as a traditional and strong name, favored in several cultures.
The name Gustav is most popular in North Dakota, USA across all generations. It ranks highest as a Boy name among the G.I. Generation generation in the Northeast region. Recent 3-year trends show this Boy name is maintaining steady popularity, while the 25-year trend indicates it has been relatively stable. From 2020-2022, Gustav has been stalled for male in MidWest, stalled for male in Northeast, stalled for male in South, stalled for male in West. The long-term 25-year analysis reveals it has been stalled for male in MidWest, stalled for male in Northeast, stalled for male in South, stalled for male in West. Across generations, 'Gustav' has shown interesting popularity patterns: Among the G.I. Generation (1901-1927), it ranked 687th out of 7545 names. Among the Silent Generation (1928-1945), it ranked 1213th out of 6773 names. Among the Baby Boomers (1946-1964), it ranked 1751st out of 7552 names. Among the Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980), it ranked 2392nd out of 10718 names. Among the Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996), it ranked 3281st out of 16616 names. Among the Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012), it ranked 3496th out of 24088 names. Among the Generation Alpha (2013-2024), it ranked 3596th out of 23106 names. Discover how the name 'Gustav' has evolved through American history with our comprehensive regional and generational analysis.
Etymology & Cultural Background of "Gustav"
Pronunciation
/ˈɡʊstɑːv/
Origin
Old High German
Etymology
The name Gustav is derived from the Old High German elements 'gust' meaning 'staff' and 'haf' meaning 'to have' or 'to possess'. It has been interpreted as 'staff of the Goths' or 'the one who has a staff'.
Meaning
staff of the Goths
Language Evolution
Gundulf, Gustavus, Gustav
Historical Usage
The name Gustav gained popularity in the Scandinavian countries during the late Middle Ages, particularly due to its association with several Swedish kings, most notably Gustav Vasa in the 16th century.
Variants & Derivatives
Gustavus, Gus, Gusti
Modern Popularity & Image
Today, Gustav is viewed as a strong and traditional name, often associated with nobility and leadership in Scandinavian cultures.
Famous People
Gustav Mahler - renowned composer and conductor, Gustav Klimt - influential Austrian painter, Gustav I of Sweden - founder of the Vasa dynasty
Explore More Gustav Name Visualizations
Historical Birth Statistics for the Name "Gustav"
Note: Years with identical rankings may represent different numbers of births. Data is sourced from Social Security card applications for births in the United States.
Yearly Ranking History of "Gustav"
"Gustav" Popularity Across American Generations
| Generation | Gender | Rank | Total Names |
|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) | Boy | 687th of 7545 | 1,370 |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) | Boy | 1213th of 6773 | 585 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) | Boy | 1751st of 7552 | 382 |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) | Boy | 2392nd of 10718 | 258 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) | Boy | 3281st of 16616 | 270 |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) | Boy | 3496th of 24088 | 439 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) | Boy | 3596th of 23106 | 371 |
Regional Popularity of "Gustav" by Generation for Male Names
| TOP(%) | MidWest | Northeast | South | West |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) |
37.78% 535th/1416 |
29.22% 403rd/1379 |
77.22% 1827th/2366 |
- |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) |
52.20% 807th/1546 |
38.11% 593rd/1556 |
- |
73.11% 1131st/1547 |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) |
63.27% 1409th/2227 |
42.35% 1029th/2430 |
- | - |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) |
60.98% 1791st/2937 |
- | - |
53.07% 2146th/4044 |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) |
57.14% 2618th/4582 |
63.07% 3257th/5164 |
68.67% 5022nd/7313 |
67.40% 5030th/7463 |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) |
79.99% 3187th/3984 |
69.69% 3127th/4487 |
- |
60.95% 3825th/6276 |
Regional Popularity of "Gustav" by Generation for Female Names
| TOP(%) | MidWest | Northeast | South | West |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| G.I. Generation (1901-1927) |
- | - | - | - |
| Silent Generation (1928-1945) |
- | - | - | - |
| Baby Boomers (1946-1964) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation X (Gen X) (1965-1980) |
- | - | - | - |
| Millennials (Gen Y) (1981-1996) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation Z (Gen Z or Zoomers) (1997-2012) |
- | - | - | - |
| Generation Alpha (2013-2024) |
- | - | - | - |
State-by-State Popularity of "Gustav"
This map shows the relative popularity of "Gustav" across states, calculated by dividing the number of births with this name in each state by the total births in that state. This methodology provides a standardized measure of popularity regardless of state population size.